§ 4.00.00. Generally.

4.00.01.

Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide site design and development standards applicable to both public and private development activity within the county. More specifically, the purpose of the regulations set forth in chapter 4 is to ensure the proper location, height, bulk, and size of buildings and other structures; to ensure the proper size of yards and other features of a development site; to ensure the proper layout and design of subdivisions; and to provide for compatibility between proposed development and existing development.

4.00.02.

Principles of site design and development.

A.

Site design and development shall first take into account the protection of natural resources as set forth in chapter 3 of this ULDC. All development shall be designed to avoid unnecessary impervious surface cover; to provide adequate access to lots and sites; to ensure compatibility; and to ensure site design that is consistent with the standards set forth within chapter 4. Landscaping, buffering, and tree protection standards are applicable to site design and development, and are set forth in chapter 5. Property owners and applicants may elect to design a site according to the alternative standards that are provided in chapter 6.

B.

No building or other structure shall be constructed, installed, erected, or altered except in compliance with the site design and development standards set forth in this ULDC.

C.

No open space shall be encroached upon or reduced in any manner except in conformity to the yard, setback, off-street parking spaces, and such other regulations required by this ULDC for the zoning district and/or overlay district in which such open space is located.

D.

No part of any yard, other open space, off-street parking, or loading space required in connection with any building, structure, or use by this ULDC shall be considered to be part of a required yard, other open space, off-street parking, loading space, for any other building, structure, or use, except as explicitly provided in this ULDC.

4.00.03.

Applicability.

A.

The site design standards described for a base zoning district in sections 2.01.02 through 2.01.05 and section 4.01.00 shall apply to all development within that district.

B.

Where an overlay district applies to a site, the standards for that district, as set forth in section 4.02.00, shall apply.

C.

In addition to standards for all development within a zoning district, supplemental standards are provided for the MU zoning district and the IAC zoning district, as well as specified individual uses. These supplemental standards are set forth in section 4.03.00.

D.

Where conflict arises between standards required in a base zoning district, an overlay district, supplemental standards, or specific standards for specific situations, the following rules shall be used in the application of standards:

1.

Where a master plan, development agreement, or other legally binding document applies to the proposed development, the standards in the legally binding document shall apply.

2.

In all other situations, the stricter standard shall apply.